Devotionals

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In 1678, John Bunyun first published his allegory, Pilgrim's Progress. In his book a man is portrayed as carrying a tremendous burden of sin upon his back. After experiencing many detours, the man finds his way to the cross of Calvary where his burden is gladly lifted by the Lord Jesus Christ. His long struggle finally came to an end.

Many today are just like the man in Bunyun's story, searching for relief from the heavy load of sin, but finding none. Day after day, they search for answers as to how to be free, but the answer seems so far away.

Some go their entire lives not realizing that all they needed to do was kneel at the cross, confess their sins to a loving Savior, and the heaviness would be gone forever. In fact, it's simple enough that a child can do.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

The desire of the Savior is that all come to the cross of Calvary, but we must take the initial step. Even though the Savior's love is very great, the decision to come to Him is ours. Once we do, we receive the daily help we need for every burden that comes our way. Rest assured, when we come to Christ, we receive constant support from Him for every bit of pain, sorrow, or care. We no longer have to walk alone because we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) Oh, how Jesus loves us!

A promise from Scripture tells us: "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:4)
This Scripture tells us when Jesus went to the vile whipping post and to the rugged cross itself, He took our sin, pain and sorrow upon Himself. The sin-debt was paid when Jesus died. Without coming to the cross, we forfeit the very help we so desperately need. We can wander aimlessly through life without help from the great Burden Lifter Himself, Jesus Christ.

The Savior gently calls to us: "Come to Me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt. 11:28) This means that not only will our Savior give us relief from the heaviness of sin, but daily assistance from the cares of life, and we surely have plenty of those.

There's a hymn we used to sing and the words still comfort my heart, "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there." (Charles A. Tindley, 1916)

The Burden Lifter will take our heartaches and worries upon Himself as we take them to Him in prayer. Over the years, I have known this to be true in my own life and He has never let me down. For that, I cannot praise my God enough. I believe that as long as you and I have breath, the Savior will hear us when we pray.

Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

This promise tells us that when we cast our burdens over onto the Burden Lifter, we find relief from the tribulations and trials that come our way. We will always have heartache, but the Lord promises that He will sustain us. He will hold us close to His heart and will never allow the righteous to fall.
You may be asking, "Who are the righteous?" The righteous are those who have been redeemed and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, who daily live for the Lord, and by their faith in God. The righteous are not perfect individuals, but love the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their mind. (Matthew 22:37)

It is my prayer that you have made your way to Calvary so that your heavy burden of sin can be lifted. If not, call out to Jesus and He will surely hear your earnest cry; for burdens are lifted at Calvary.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

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